Dirk Nowitzki has by no means been one to publicly criticize the Dallas Mavericks, however the franchise icon made it clear he has combined emotions in regards to the staff’s newest roster shake-up.
Dallas despatched Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum to Washington in a deal largely centered on clearing long-term wage commitments and creating flexibility for the longer term.
“Effectively, I’ll inform you one factor, I believe the Mavs followers are pleased with this,” Nowitzki stated talking throughout Amazon Prime’s studio protection. “I believe they didn’t need to be reminded of what occurred a 12 months in the past within the Luka commerce. So, to me, this deal at first look, there’s not quite a bit that got here again for picks or player-wise. So that is all actually about monetary flexibility for the longer term. And you understand, they removed some contracts that weren’t favorable for the franchise.
“So, I’m somewhat upset, clearly. I believe when AD truly performed with Cooper, they performed off one another actually, rather well. I believe that was a stable combo, however we’ll by no means know. I believe what this in the end is now’s constructed round Cooper. Go younger. See what the subsequent 12 months brings, with what the draft brings this summer season. So in the end now they’re all in on Cooper Flagg and his future, and that’s what they’re going to construct round.”
Whereas the Mavericks prevented carrying roughly $70 million in mixed wage tied to Davis, Russell, and Hardy subsequent season, the basketball return was modest.
Solely rookie AJ Johnson stays on Dallas’ books past this season, highlighting how strongly the group prioritized long-term maneuverability.
The commerce additionally reopens lingering frustration surrounding the group’s earlier resolution to maneuver Luka Doncic.
Many believed the Slovenian famous person would comply with Nowitzki’s legacy because the face of the franchise for a complete technology. As an alternative, Dallas pivoted towards a full youth reset after Davis struggled to remain wholesome, showing in simply 29 of a potential 85 video games throughout his Mavericks tenure.
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